Nino and Marinette had been inseparable since the day they were born—literally. Their parents had been neighbors, and on that fateful summer day, their mothers had gone into labor at the same time, just a block apart. Marinette often joked that their shared birthday made them soulmates. Little did she know just how profound that bond was.
As they grew up in the vibrant heart of Paris, their friendship blossomed. Nino was always the jokester, his infectious laughter bouncing off walls as they played in the park or rode their bikes down narrow streets. Marinette, with her quiet determination and creative spark, found in Nino a steady anchor. Even when she struggled with her own insecurities, Nino was there, working hard to ensure she knew she was never alone.
One crisp autumn afternoon, as leaves painted the ground in shades of fiery red and golden yellow, Marinette’s insecurities flared up like a storm cloud overhead. She had been secretly in love with Luka for months, but the words tangled in her throat every time she tried to speak to him. Nino noticed her distance and her overthinking, his intuition always attuned to her feelings.
“Hey, Marinette,” he said one day as they sat on a bench outside the bakery. “What’s going on in that head of yours? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Marinette sighed, staring at the crumbs of her pastry as if they held the secrets to her heart. “It’s just… I like someone, and I’m scared to tell him. What if he doesn’t feel the same way?”
Nino leaned back, his expression carefree, but seriousness flickered in his eyes. “You know I’m always here for you, right? You don’t have to be scared. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? He says no? You’ll get through it. Just like how we used to climb the tallest trees. You fell a couple of times, but you always climbed back up.”
Marinette chuckled, remembering their reckless childhood adventures. “Yeah, but I don’t want to fall this time.”
“But life is about taking risks,” Nino continued, determined to inspire her. “I promise you, no matter what happens, I’ll be right there to catch you if you fall. Always.”
Marinette smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. Nino had this incredible way of making everything seem possible. She took a deep breath, letting the steady rhythm of their friendship soothe her anxious heart. “You really mean that?”
“Of course! We’ve faced everything together. From the first day of school when we didn’t know if we’d make friends to high school drama. I’ve got your back, Marinette, now and always.”
Summoning her courage, Marinette decided to take that leap. With Nino by her side, she approached Luka after school the very next day. Her heart raced, but as she spoke, she could hear Nino’s words resonating in her mind: “Always.” She told Luka how she felt, her voice strong despite the butterflies in her stomach.
To her surprise, Luka smiled warmly, revealing that he had admired her too. They talked and laughed, and just like that, a new chapter began for Marinette, one filled with hope and excitement.
Later that evening, Marinette burst through the door of her room, practically glowing. Nino was already sitting on the edge of her bed, a grin plastered across his face. “So? How did it go?” he asked eagerly.
“I can’t believe it! He likes me back! Nino, I did it!” Marinette exclaimed, jumping up and down, her heart soaring.
Nino threw his arms wide open for a celebratory hug. “I knew it! I told you! You’re amazing, Marinette!”
As they hugged, Marinette felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude—not just for the sweet outcome of her risk but for Nino, who was always her rock. “Thanks for always believing in me, Nino. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Don’t mention it,” he said, pulling away, eyes sparkling with pride. “You’re destined for great things. I’ll never leave you behind, remember?”
Years rolled by, bringing changes, challenges, and new adventures, but one thing remained steadfast: their unbreakable bond. As they looked back on all those years, the memories of playing in the park and navigating the complexities of young love became the threads that wove their lives together.
Even as life pulled them in different directions—Nino pursuing music, and Marinette chasing her dreams in fashion—they held on to the promise made on a sunny autumn day about never leaving each other behind.
Because no matter where they went, deep down, they knew they would always be each other's home.
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'If only that was me, Mari' sadly smiled Nino
'I'll never had let you go'
